No one's POV

As Poney proceed to look around, one specific person caught her eye. It was Najasho, rank no 1 in the Elite. Upon seeing him, Poney, Kurome, and Green were shocked, considering the report back on the Gravekeepers mission, Najasho was considered dead. Poney rubbed her eyes a bunch of times to confirm that she wasn't dreaming, once she realized she wasn't, a wave of emotions flow within her.

Poney: Najasho...

Green: Wh-What's he doing here?! Either way, let's keep calm and--ack! Poney's already gone?!

Poney: Najasho! I knew it! You're still alive!

Najasho:...!
Poney had sped off, clearly excited to see her leader alive and well. However to Poney's surprise, Najasho reacted to her voice, but instead of happy he grew cautious. Then he sped off from the area leaving the trio behind. This made the trio confused, thinking this was odd for their former leader to act that way.

Poney: Huh? Huh? Wait, Najasho! It's me, Poney!

Kurome: That guy just now—

Green: Yep. He went missing in Potulu, but that was definitely our leader!

Green quickly turned around, thinking this whole thing was a trap. He signal towards the two spy working for the Empire, telling them that they will be heading south in order to pursue a suspicious person. The two understood and nodded back, turning around and they went to look for Gozuki.

(Timeskip)

Poney, Kurome, and Green chase after Najasho for a good while, the blonde teen having led the trio to a secluded and forested area. Not long after, Najasho finally stop running with Poney and the others following behind.

Poney: Najasho!

Green: Poney, wait. Something's not right about him.

Poney: I know..! But I'm sensing that there are many others hiding around here..!

???: But there are a few.

The trio heard voice coming from within the bushes. Then 4 people appear standing next to Najasho to confront the Elite. It was Mashiro, Mudi, Lorris, and Meela. Najasho then turns around to look at his former comrades, glaring at them.

Mashiro: I told you to bring anyone who reacted to your presence, but...I wasn't expecting such a big catch.

Poney: Who are you?!

The man Mudi who was the leader of the Retribution Group clap his hand. There the Elite Seven was confronted by a small group of enemies.

Mudi: How impressive that you were able to keep up with his speed. You're all from the Empire's assassination unit, aren't you?

Green: Those clothes...you were a member of the Gravekeepers.

Meela: We're surviving members of the Oarburghs.

Lorris: Do you understand what that means?

Kurome: It means you all have a bone to pick with us.

Kurome said unsheathing her blade. Meanwhile Poney was still trying to get to her leader.

Poney: Najasho! Don't you remember us?!

Najasho:...I don't. Don't talk to me like you know me, shrimp.

Najasho reply with clear hostility. Hearing those words left Poney shocked and heartbroken. She stared at her former leader with disbelief.

Mudi: He hit his head really hard and lost his memory. You may recall his fall from the collapsed tomb. So we exploited his amnesia to use him for our own purposes... using secret Gravekeeper techniques.

Green: Most of the time, their abilities involve parasites that control the host...

Kurome: Gravekeepers and insects...I'm sick of them both.

Kurome frown in annoyance. Meanwhile Mashiro glare at her opponent finally given a chance to seek her revenge.

Mashiro: My lover was killed by you assassins. Now that you understand we're here for revenge...you are all going to die horrible deaths.

Poney: The one guy doesn't seem that big a deal, but the rest seem pretty skilled.

Kurome: Agreed.

Green: I'll keep the chief busy. The rest of you take care of the others in the meantime!

Finally the battle had commence. Mashiro had the first strike by quickly drawing her revolver that was aimed towards Kurome. However to her surprise Kurome was able to deflect them with ease. With the opening Mashiro made, Meela and Lorris had rushed in towards Poney and Kurome. The two girls of the Elite Seven were quickly alerted, turning their attention to the twin girls as they dodge attacks from their dual blades.

Lorris and Meela: Too slow.

But Poney and Kurome let out small grunts of pain. Lorris and Meela were quick enough to graze them on their arms, shocking the three assassins of the Empire.

Green(mind): These guys are tough!!

Mudi: Give them gruesome deaths, everyone.. like you did those spies!

Lorris: It's another race, sis! Let's see who can execute the most garishly!

Meela: You're on. Let the brutality begin!

That pisses both Poney and Kurome.

Poney: Don't get cocky with us!

Kurome: You're the ones who will be executed.

While being occupied by the twins, Najasho went and charge at Kurome and Poney to kill them. However by doing so leave Mudi vulnerable. Green took this chance and unleashed his Shingu, Sidewinder.

Green: Sidewinder.

Mudi: You're targeting me.

Najasho was quick to notice this, and he rushes back to Mudi, knocking the attacking end of Sidewinder away with his Shingu, Water Dragon Sword. At the same time, Mashiro stood off to the side, a good distance away from them, whipping out a revolver that looked similar to Ryu's Prometheus. She fired a shot, however Green was able to react on time to dodge the bullet shocking Mashiro.

Mashiro(mind): He dodged it...!

Mudi: It's pointless, boy.

Mashiro: Actually, it isn't. By attacking you, he's restricting your doll's movements. Not only that, he's figured out my gun's pattern so as to crack his whip after I've fired it.

Mudi: He really is one of the assassins who took out our comrades.

Green(mind): They've figured out my tactic..but that's not all.

Mudi: It is still no use. Even if you focus on me, the sisterss will kill your friends. A person's grudge! It's an immeasurable source of power!

Meanwhile...

Meela: Take that and that and that and that and that and that!!!

Kurome: Gh!

Kurome was struggling by the barrage of ferocious attack. She parries one of Meela's blades, but the Oarburgh girl had the other, slashing Kurome's shoulder. Meela laughed with glee as she goes for one more attack and land the the killing blow, but Kurome with her quick wits slashed down her katana as she parries the two attacks from Meela making the Oarburgh girl frown as she was force to retreat for the first time. Kurome breathing was heavy as she pant slowly in and out.

Meela: I'm wearing you down, slowly but surely. This is punishment by fine mincing. The suffering of losing our loved ones felt as if our bodies were being torn to shreds. So I want you to feel the same way!

Kurome:...!!

Kurome grits her teeth as blood dripped down her forehead, her preparing to attack once more. With Poney, both her and Lorris were constantly dodging each other from each strike they sent towards each other.

Lorris: Just get cut already!

Poney: You just get kicked already!

Mudi: Mashiro! Let's synchronize our breathing. We're going to have him attack for us first.

Green: Not if I can help it!

Hearing what Mudi said, Najasho dashed forward towards Green, however Green sent his Sidewinder towards Najasho. The blonde teen deflects the blade by slashing it away, but using Sidewinder ability to change the whips trajectory, the whip heads towards Mudi. But as he was labeled No. 1, Najasho had jumped back with quick speed, knocking the whip away once more.

Najasho: Not bad.

Mashiro(mind): I'll shoot him when his ship attacks leaves him open!

Once again Mashiro tried to shot at Green while he was distracted by Najasho and Mudi. She aimed towards Green's head and was about to shoot only for someone to beat her to it.

???: Prometheus!

Mashiro: ?!

A voice was heard at the very back. Then a bullet came flying at the surprise Mashiro and landed on her left shoulders.

Mashiro: Guh...!

Mudi: Mashiro!

Mashiro groan in pain and Mudi cried for her. This surprises the two and Green could only grin because he knew who had shot that bullet. Looking back, Mudi and Mashiro saw a boy in military uniform and had black hair and amethyst eyes rushing towards their direction with a gun on his left hand and a katana at his right. It was Ryu whom had rushed along first when he heard his team was pursuing a suspicious person.

Mudi: Another one!

Green: Good timing, Ryu!!

Ryu: Don't let your guard down.

Green: But thanks to you, now we've figure out their weakness.

Mudi: Huh? What weakness?!

Ryu immediately rushes towards Mudi to decapitate him only for Najasho to intercept him with his Shingu the Water Dragon Sword. Ryu was shocked to see his chief again. It was because he had spent three hours inside the Tomb searching for him only to not found anything. Now seeing his leader whom he saw as a brother alive compel Ryu to called out to him.

Ryu: Najasho!

Najasho: Your voice is grating on my ear, Shrimp!

Ryu gritted his teeth and shook what Najasho said out of his head. This was the life of an assassin and every battle here was deadly serious. It had to be that way. He had no idea what made Najasho like this, and now is not the time or place for him to thought so. Ryu swung his katana to hold it above his right shoulder, snapping himself into focus. This time he pointed it directly at his opponent.

Then he leaped forward again, his mind was cold and focused. He could feel a sense of acceleration throughout his body, the burning of his nerves and synapses. This time, Najasho came toward Ryu as well. The nonchalant face was gone from his lips, but the crystal-green eye and dark eye still sparkled.

Ryu swiped to the right to deflect an obsidian slash that came roaring down on him from above. In addition to the sparks and clanging, a tremendous shock ran through his hand. The chief leaped back, but Najasho snapped his weapon forward instantly, as if it had no weight of its own. Swing after swing, so fast that reacting once seeing them would be too late. Ryu had to watch every detail of his opponent's moves to predict the next attack and then deflect or evade it. At times, one of their swords would land briefly, but neither had secured a clean hit yet.

It was truly an ultra speed battle that took the breath of everyone there.

Green: No matter how many times I seen those two face off, it always amazes me.

Back with Kurome, Meela and Kurome kept circling each other while parrying each other's blades until Meela made a mistake. When she slashed her two blades, she missed, Kurome taking this chance to rush in.

And with great speed, Kurome had slashed Meela's throat even though it's not fatal, leaving the young girl shocked.

Meela: I...I...I've been cut...?!

Kurome: I know the feeling of wanting to chop a despised opponent to bits, but...it's time you gave it up.

Meela: I...I can't die!

Her body sway back and forth. It was too no surprise since a fatal part of her body had been slashed and she was now losing too much blood. Turning her attention back to Kurome, Meela dashes forward, overcome by her grudge and gets revenge. However due to her allowing herself to be overcome by emotions her movements have become too predictable, Kurome had anticipated it and raised her sword over her head. Once Meela got close enough, Kurome had quickly brought it down, slashing right through Meela's shoulder. She then took her blade and drove it through Meela's body.

Lorris: Sister!

Mudi: What?!

Lorris and Mudi looked at shocked.

Green: The more you try to draw out our deaths, the more unnecessary moves you make, leaving you open to attack. That's your weakness. If you'd actually been serious about killing us, this would've been over a long time ago.

Kurome and Poney now surrounded Lorris.

Kurome: Let's attack from both sides and finish her off!

Poney: Got it!

Lorris: Kuh...!

Green(mind): I managed to buy us time talking to him too. We win.

Mudi: It's true we were arrogant to try to kill you slowly and cruelly. We should have considered how equally matched we are. But you think you've won, don't you? You underestimate our rage!

Meela: M-Mera-sama will be avenged...with as many as you...as possible.

Kurome thought she had killed her. Meela then bit something that was inside her mouth. And in a few seconds, an explosion had occurred. Meela had sacrificed herself and used herself as a bomb. Dust had risen up from the ground, creating a smokescreen and obstructing Ryu's, Green's, Poney's, and Kurome's view.

Ryu: Smoke screen?!

Mudi: Now! Kill them!

Mashiro fires her gun into the smokescreen, the bullet hitting Kurome's blade. It caused Kurome's blade to have cracks, rendering it unusable now as it was about to break at the same time skidding her back. Within the smoke, Ryu rushes in to where Mudi is in to end him once and for all, he thought that Najasho was about to intercept him again, only for Lorris to be there instead.

Ryu(mind): Wait, if she's here, then the one fighting Poney is!

Mashiro: I'll murder you!

Ryu: !

While Ryu and Lorris face off, Mashiro appeared from behind the smoke to strangle Ryu ending his life. Unfortunately for her, her opponent is not a normal person. Seeing this, Ryu's eyes shifted from amethyst to dark blue. He was activating his Vampire Lycanthrope power even if its only a small amount. Then blue aura surrounded him and which take both Lorris and Mashiro back.

Mashiro and Lorris:...!!

He reacted quickly and did an uppercut on Mashiro's chin sending her upwards and at the same time, Ryu did a roundabout kick and her chest sending her flying to where Lorris and Mudi is.

Mashiro: Guh...!

Mudi: Mashiro!

Ryu however ignore Mudi, Mashiro and Lorris since the place he needs to go is Poney. And to his fear, he saw the person near Poney. It was Najasho. Within the smokescreen, Najasho had entered and found his prey, Poney. The girl had a pleading eye, looking at her former leader to not attack her. But Najasho's glare showed the same killing intent.

Poney: Najasho...!

Ryu: Attack him, Poney! You have no other choice!

Gritting her teeth, Poney began to spin on her heel, readying her foot for a kick. It wasn't until Najasho stopped and faltered, causing Poney to stop and smile.

Poney: Najasho...I knew you'd remember us...

Her eyes filled with hope, she too stoped her attack. Forgetting that Najasho was under the enemies control left her open for an attack.

Mudi: What are you two doing!? Swing your swords!

A small joint of pain then went through their left eyes. Najasho swung his sword down, a betrayed look on Poney's face. Najasho had slashed Poney from her right shoulder all the way down to her left side.

Poney: Naja...sho...

Poney weakly called Najasho's name, causing the blonde teen to look at her. When he did so, for some odd reason, he felt guilty and remorseful. Something was telling him not to kill her.

Ryu: PONEY......!!!!!

Ryu screamed in agony to his fallen comrade. He rushes towards Najasho to put him out for awhile only for Najasho to regain his sense and deflected Ryu's katana. Najasho then turned his head to the sound of footsteps, seeing Gozuki and Akame running towards them.

Mudi: We're pulling out for now!!

Hearing Mudi's voice Najasho head back towards Mudi. Then Mashiro while still groaning and hold her chest in pain after Ryu had kick her pulled out more smoke bombs. She detonate them creating huge smoke.

Mudi: We'll settle this next time...but if you defeat me, the parasites within Najasho will kill them too!

Ryu and Green: !

This causes Green and Ryu to gasp in shock. While Najasho are their enemies, they still wouldn't want to harm or kill their former comrades.

Lorris: You guys are dead meat.

Lorris said glaring with hatred towards the Elite while grieving the death of her sister. The smoke slowly covering the Retribution Group, and soon, they disappeared. As much as Ryu wanted to go after them, he knows Najasho would just intercept them. Not only that, he needs to prioritize the treatment of his friends. This was the worst development possible. Kurome had sustained major injuries, but not to the extent of Poney's, whose were life threatening.

With no choice but to retreat, the Elite Seven gather their wounded and head back to their hideout and think about the encounter.